vithe country, seeking personal stories about how they used what they learned in
the classroom. We searched countless media sources and real-world locations
for inventive and intriguing ways to illustrate communication concepts at work.
We found our examples in the communication playing out in the world around
us, whether in scenarios from reality television programs or examples taken from
mainstream movies, the national political scene, sporting and cultural events, or
even visits to the grocery store. We involved instructors from all over the United
States in reviews and discussion groups to get a true sense of what they want and
need from a communication textbook. And as we followed up with students, both
in our own classrooms and in focus groups around the country, we found them
excited to engage with communication scholarship and practice key communica-
tion skills in their own lives, making the discipline relevant in a whole new way.
In response, we designed in-text pedagogical features and other learning tools
to match. Finally, throughout the process, we looked for opportunities to draw
more clear-cut connections between the various parts of our exceptionally broad
discipline. On the one hand, we created unique pedagogical callouts that draw stu-
dents’ attention to important connections between different areas of communica-
tion; on the other hand, we carefully tailored coverage in the text itself to highlight
the ways that fundamental principles help us understand widely divergent aspects
of communication. Perception, for example, merits its own chapter, but we also
show how it informs conflict management, public speaking, and interpersonal and
organizational communication. By taking this approach, we encourage students to
see that the value of these concepts goes well beyond their “assigned” chapter and
applies to a variety of contexts that students experience every day.
The overwhelming response to our first edition told us that we were on to
something—and the success of the second edition confirmed it. Over and over,
we’ve heard from instructors and students that our approach—friendly, familiar,
scholarly, and real—provides a solid foundation for understanding and appreci-
ating the nuances of modern communication in a way that is thought provok-
ing, fun, and engaging. We are delighted to have heard from students who not
only read our book but also keep thinking about what they’ve read long after
they put it back on the shelf, applying the concepts they’ve learned to their own
communication every day.
This positive response makes us even more excited about the new and
improved third edition that you hold in your hands. This edition matches cutting-
edge content with powerful digital tools. All chapters have been revised to
include new scholarship, updated and realistic examples, and a focus on emerging
technologies. We’re also excited to offer a powerful (and easy-to-use) learning
platform called LaunchPad, which combines the full e-book with curated videos,
quizzes, activities, instructor’s resources, and LearningCurve—an adaptive quiz-
zing program. Finally, each copy of the book will include the formerly optional
chapter, Understanding Mass and Mediated Communication, given the topic’s
relevance in our modern, connected age.Features
The very best coverage of human communication. All of the coverage you
expect from a human communication textbook is presented here in compellingPreface0 00_OHA_45766_FM.indd vi 0 OHA 45766 _FM.indd vi 1 13/10/14 5:42 PM 3 / 10 / 14 5 : 42 PM